Man arrested for drunken driving files complaint against Metro police

Tuesday, June 22, 1999 | 9:28 a.m.

Richard Assan says that when he tried to get up to avoid the injuries that have resulted in daily visits to University Medical Center's burn ward, the arresting officer forced him to the ground with a knee in the back.

Charges of resisting arrest and obstructing a public officer resulted from the June 13 arrest.

Assan, 45, has filed a complaint with Metro's Internal Affairs unit. He says he has substantial medical bills from University Medical Center and has talked to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Metro Police spokesman Lt. Rick Alba said he could not discuss an ongoing investigation by internal affairs.

When he was pulled over, Assan said he got out of his van and the officer told him to put his hands against the van.

"I told him that the van was too hot and asked why he was arresting me," Assan said. "I started to walk over to the sidewalk so he could arrest me and he pushed me down onto the hot street."

That is when Assan said he tried to get up but was held there by the officer. The name of the officer involved was not immediately released.

"They took me to the Clark County Detention Center and when I was released from there I went to UMC where they treated me for burns on my chest, lower abdomen and arms," Assan said.

Assan was charged with failure to obey a stop sign, driving on a revoked license, driving under the influence of alcohol, obstructing a police officer and resisting a police officer.

Assan admitted he had a few beers but said he was never given a sobriety test before he was told he was being arrested.

He conceded that he was convicted of one DUI about six years ago and is facing an August hearing on a second DUI count.

A third DUI conviction within seven years would be a felony that requires a year in prison.